The console itself runs Android 4.0 and though it doesn’t have Google’s Play store as standard for your gaming content we are sure this will be easily installed later.

The makers have even gone as far to say you are free to root the console without voiding your warranty. This is going to make for an absolute hotbed of custom firmwares and cracked apps but will make the community progress the technology further without the creators having to lift a finger.

Are there many apps on it?

At this point in time the Official Ouya website is reporting 173 games available for the Ouya and that seems to be growing by the day. This is also added to by all the standard apps you would be able to run if you are confident enough to install APK’s like this.

A really interesting feature of the Ouya app store is that you can try any game for free before deciding if you want to purchase. This is a great feature that will most likely save users picking up dud games that are instantly deleted.

Where do I get the Apps?

Instead of the Play Store the Ouya has its own dedicated app store with apps and games from a community of developers who create titles especially for the Ouya console. As the console is root friendly we are sure it wont be long before a fully fledged Play Store is available but for now you will have to copy APK files to the machine and install them that way.

Will developers find it easy to make games and apps for Ouya?

Existing Android developers can port their titles to the Ouya platform and the developer toolkit even ships with the console – Ouya’s creators are trying to encourage user-created content, so if you fancy trying to make a game yourself then this option is open to you.

Can I run emulation on the Ouya?

Yes is the simple answer. There are already a selection of emulators that have been especially ported to Ouya and are available as soon as you plug the little box in.

Some of the emulation apps available are:

SuperGNES (Free with 69p premium version)

This SNES emulator gives you the ability to scan ROMs directly from an android device, creating a neat visual library of games with cover art. It supports networked multiplayer via WiFi or Bluetooth, and also features built-in support for Game Genie and Pro Action Replay codes.

EMUya (free)

This emulator will support NES ROMs and will soon add support for Atari 2600, SNES, and Gameboy. EMUya has included an indie game store directly in the app, allowing developers to create games specifically for the architecture of NES, SNES, or Atari 2600 to be played on Ouya consoles.

Mupen64Plus (free)

An open-source N64 emulator which has been ported from the Android version of Mupen64Plus. It’s free and small, and the fact that its open source means it’s likely to be enhanced a lot going forward.

Snes9x EX Plus (Free)

Snes9x is a very popular SNES emulator available for PC. The Ouya app advert claims nearly 100% game compatibility. The original on PC is such a great emulator so the likelihood is that this will be a must have on your little machine!

What about peripherals?

Because it’s an Android device, adding peripherals to Ouya is very easy. Bluetooth keyboards and mice can be paired, making it much easier to input text and navigate menus. Additional Bluetooth gamepads can also be linked to the system, such as the official OnLive pad. This means that hacking your Ouya to accept almost any device is plausible… I’m thinking of PS3 controllers, Universal bluetooth remotes and a whole load more! The sky is the limit (In theory)

Finally, can I use ouya as a Media Centre?

Yes you can but unfortunately you will need to load an app to get it functioning properly. The Ouya can handle up to 1080p video in many different formats, it also has the ability to organize and sort all your Movies, TV shows, Music, etc. for easy access. For network shares, you can access your media via DLNA/UPnP, SMP or NFS.

The Ouya can run XBMC and Plex as well as having the ability to use CEC (Connect your phone as a remote)

It has Torrent Client support and also support for External HDD via the USB 2.0 port.

So all in all the Ouya is a pretty nifty bit of kit. It deserves your attention if you want games and media capabilities in a small box at a small price but if you are looking for a graphical powerhouse then this is not for you.

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About the Author

MarkTGS One half of The Games Shed, Mark claims to be the inspiration for the Alex Kidd series. This may be due to him obtaining a motorcycle license at the age of three. Mark enjoys football video games and is daft for all things Mario.